On Sat, Feb 18, 2023 at 7:40 AM Pancoast's <bpancoast@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
Good morning everyone,“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13GIVING THANKS:* Praise God and give thanks for this mild winter. If you look closely, the crocus are emerging and the buds are opening at the tops of some of the trees.* Last Saturday the ladies had a great morning of feasting on God's word, food & fellowship. Gina Porto shared her family recipe for Sesame cookies so we have included that below. Thanks to Carol for sharing all of the health benefits of sesame seeds. God is SO good!Sesame Cookies2 Jumbo eggs2 teaspoons of vanilla1/2 cup sugar1/2 cup vegetable oil2 cups of flour2 teaspoons of baking powderMix with a fork after all ingredients are added. It should be like the consistency of cookie dough.Once everything is mixed together, take a teaspoon of dough and roll into a 3 inch log. Then roll the cookie dough into the roasted sesame seeds to coat each one.Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.* Mary Lou is thrilled to have had so many volunteers step up and be part of the Barnabas Project. This is a great work to encourage others and build each other up. Thanks to all who want to be part of this ministry and thanks to Mary Lou for leading it. May God be glorified.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
* Our continued prayers are for the people in Turkey and Syria who were affected by the devastating earthquake. The death toll is now over 40 thousand people which is unfathomable. Desperation grows amid the rubble. There are 150 thousand survivors. These poor families are in outdoor tents, limited food, no running water and have nowhere to go. Some facts to share about how massive this was:* There were 10 counties affected by the quake that covers a territory the size of Texas.* It has been said that a lot of the buildings that collapsed were not erected properly* People are still being pulled out of the rubble 10 days later. They just pulled a young boy out of the rubble who had been trapped for 261 hours. The excavator found the boy's report card so they continued digging and found him alive. The joy, happiness, and emotions couldn't be described. They called his family who spoke with him as the rescue worker held the phone to his ear. When he heard his families' voices, he kissed the worker's hand and the phone. Continued prayers for the rescue workers, for those who have lost loved ones, for the survivors, and everyone trying to help in some way in the midst of this disaster. Families here in America also grieve for their loved ones in Turkey & Syria.Leah Fernandes' friend Sergio's whole family lives in one of the towns where the earthquake hit. Thankfully his family is alive, but they lost everything and have nowhere to go. He can't get them here because they have no passports. He said they said everything is in ruins, with no water, no heat, or food. They have nothing. Our prayers are with all.An earthquake or similar disaster could hit here, at any moment. The question remains, is our soul right with God? Are we prepared to meet our maker?COMING UP:
* Wednesday evening Bible studies at 7:00 p.m. as Ron leads us in a study over the next few months on the Holy Spirit. Watch for the zoom link.* The Tuesday ladies bible study is coming up on February 21st at 9:30 a.m. watch for the zoom link. See Mary Lou or Lisa if you have interest and they can provide you with the study book.* The last Saturday of every month we will be showing BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT series by John Cooper. Join us on Saturday February 25th at 6:30 p.m. for a fun evening of Fellowship afterwards as well. Bring an appetizer or desert to share.MARCH:* Saturday, March 11th at 10:00 a.m. at the building – Tori Saracino will be leading our ladies bible study. Join us for a lesson on “On Christ the solid Rock I stand”.SNEAK PEAK OF APRIL:* Saturday, April 8th at 10:00 a.m. at the building – Laney Rizzio has volunteered to lead our Ladies bible study along with Tori. God is working in these young girls lives and we are so proud of their willingness to study God's word to prepare for these classes.* Saturday April 22nd at 11:30 a.m. we will have a baby shower here at the building for Jessica Lennon. Jessica has chosen a Noah's ark theme and her colors are blue, green, yellow, cream or white. She is registered at Target. Continued prayers for Jessica, Rich and their little one on the way.* Saturday, April 29th at 6:30 p.m. BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT will be shown here at the building. This series is a great way to introduce someone who is not in the church to the archeological facts verifying biblical history. This is also a great opportunity for fellowship.The Hebrew word Tsiyon or Zion occurs over 150 times in the Bible. It means “fortification” and can refer to being “raised up” as a “monument”. Zion is described both as the city of David and the city of God.Zion can refer to one of three places – the hill where the most ancient areas of Jerusalem stood; the city of Jerusalem itself; or the dwelling place of God.The first mention of Zion in the scriptures is in 2 Samuel 5:7 “David captured the fortress of Zion – which is the City of David. ” Zion was originally an ancient Jebusite fortress in the city of Jerusalem. After David's conquest of the fortress, Jerusalem became a possession of Israel. The royal palace was built there, and Zion / Jerusalem became the seat of power in Israel's kingdom. Mount Zion is the high hill on which David built a citadel on the southeast side of the city.When Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem, the meaning of Zion broadened further to include the temple area.Psalms 2:6 “I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill.“Psalms 48:2 “It is beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth. Like the utmost heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King.”Psalms 48:11-12 “Walk about Zion, go around her, count her towers, consider well her ramparts, view her citadels, that you may tell of them to the next generation. For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.”Psalms 132:13 “For the LORD has chose Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling; This is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned for I have desired it.“In Jeremiah 31:6 “Come, let us go up to Zion, to the LORD our God” .In the Old Testament, Zion is used as a name for the city of Jerusalem, the land of Judah and the nation of Israel as a whole, scriptures below:Isaiah 40:9 “You who bring good tidings to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good tidings to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up and do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, “Here is your God!“Jeremiah 31:12 “They will come and shout for Joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the LORD – the grain, the new wine and the oil, the young of the flocks and herds. They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more.“Zechariah 9:13 “I will bend Judah as I bend my bow and fill it with Ephraim. I will rouse your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece, and make you like a warrior's sword.“Isaiah 60:14 “The sons of your opressors will come bowing before you; all who despise you will bow down at your feet and will call you the City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.“In the New Testament, Zion refers to God's spiritual kingdom. We have not come to Mount Sinai, says the apostle, but “to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God“, the heavenly Jerusalem” Hebrews 12:22.Peter quotes Isaiah in1 Peter 2:6 “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trust in him will never be put to shame.” Isaiah 28:16 “So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.” This scripture refers to Christ as the Cornerstone of Zion.“The Lord loves the gates of Zion, more than all the other dwellings of Jacob. Glorious things are said of you, city of God” Psalm 87:2-3 Here, Zion is synonymous with city of God, and is a place that God loves.Mount Zion represents the “Kingdom of God” in Revelation 21 and looks ahead to the New Jerusalem that will descend out of Heaven.” This chapter is worth reading in its entirety.Isaiah 52:1 “Awake, awake O Zion, clothe yourself with strength. Put on your garments of splendor, O Jerusalem, the holy city. The uncircumcised and defiled will not enter you again. “Isaiah 60:14 “The sons of your oppressors will come bowing before you; all who despise you will bow down at your feet and will call you the City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.”Christ as the cornerstone of a spiritual Zion gives hope to all who are oppressed. God cares deeply for us, just as a Father cares for his children. He has provided for us in every way, but it's up to us to seek him and hold on!Zion is now built in the heart of each believer who walks with the Lord in obedience. As we learn more about our faith and grow spiritually, each day we move closer towards spiritual wisdom, and His perfect peace. We find true JOY in knowing that Jesus Christ is our deliverer, our redeemer, our precious cornerstone, and who is the true foundation!“But you have come to Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they reused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? At that time his voice shook the earth but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens”. The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken – that is, created things – so that what cannot be shaken will remain.Therefore since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:22-28God has created for us, an unshakable and eternal kingdom! The foundation, His one and only Son, who paid the price for our sins.How can we not SMILE and find JOY in our salvation!KEEP SINGING….This is an old hymn which was popular many years ago. You can't frown when singing this song!WE'RE MARCHING TO ZIONCome we that love the Lord,And let our joys be known;Join in a song with sweet accord,Join in a song with sweet accord,And thus surround the throne,And thus surround the throne.We're marching to Zion,Beautiful, beautiful Zion,We're marching upward to Zion,The Beautiful city of God.Let those refuse to sing,Who never knew our God;But children of the Heavenly King,But children of the Heavenly King,May speak their joys abroad,May speak their joys abroad.We're marching to Zion,Beautiful, beautiful Zion,We're marching upward to Zion,The Beautiful city of God.The hill of Zion yieldsA thousand sacred sweets,Before we reach the heavenly fields,Before we reach the heavenly fields,Or walk the golden streets,Or walk the golden streets.We're marching to Zion,Beautiful, beautiful Zion.We're marching upward to Zion,The Beautiful city of God.Then let our songs abound,And every tear be dry,We're marching thru Immanuel's ground,We're marching thru Immanuel's ground,To fairer worlds on high,To fairer worlds on high.We're marching to Zion,Beautiful, beautiful Zion.We're marching upward to Zion,The Beautiful city of God.Just a little breakdown of this song:The song is addressed to those who love the LORD – Mark 12:30Those who truly love the LORD can join in songs of sweet accord: Heb 12:12They also have the blessing to be able to come before the throne of God through our High Priest, Jesus Christ: Hebrews 4:14-16Verse 1: Says that we can surround the throne of God in Praise!“Come we that Love the Lord, and let our Joys be known,Join in a song with sweet accord, And thus surround the throne.”Verse 2: Says that we can become spiritual children of God.“Let those refuse to sing, who never knew our God;But children of the heavenly King May speak their joys abroad.”Many in this world refuse to sing because they do not know God: Ephesians 2:12Those who come to Christ in obedience to His word are identified as God's children: 1 John 3:1As His children, we should never be ashamed to speak of our faith in Him, but continue to proclaim the praises of Him who called us: 2 Timothy 1:8, Hebrews. 13:15, 1 Peter 2:9.Jesus Christ is the Precious cornerstone of our Faith.This foundation, built by the Living God, will never crumble and is eternal.Let our JOY BE KNOWN! Pass it on…Keep on Keeping on…as we march to ZION!In Him,Bruce & Paula
